Dietetics and Nutrition Management Concentration B.S. in Nutrition Science

RDNs (or RDs for short) are credentialed food and nutrition experts who apply the latest research about nutrition to contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The RDN credential is the most recognized and qualified credential for trained nutrition experts.

Below is more information for prospective students.

• Tuition and Fees – Costs of the program are consistent with University tuition and fees.
• Application and Admission Requirements – The program’s application and admission requirements begin at the University level.
• Academic Calendar – The program’s academic calendar follows the University calendar, including vacations and holidays.
• Financial Aid – Financial aid is available. The University financial aid office has developed an online/downloadable guide with step-by-step instructions for the financial aid application.

RDNs work in a wide variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice. They also work in specialty areas such as sports nutrition, diabetes education, eating disorder counseling, agriculture, and the list goes on.

All RDNs are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are RDNs. RDNs are credentialed food and nutrition experts who have met education and professional requirements. There is no official definition or education requirements for a nutritionist. This means that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without any expertise or formal training.  Most job opportunities in nutrition require the RDN credential.

To become an RDN you must meet the requirements set in place by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which are:

1. Earn a degree from an accredited dietetics program
2. Complete a master’s degree
3. Complete 1000 hours of supervised practice (aka a dietetic internship)
4. Pass the national credentialing exam

An accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) refers to an academic program designed to meet the knowledge requirements for dietetics practice set in place by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), which makes sure that programs adequately prepare students for careers as RDNs. You can complete an undergraduate or graduate accredited program.

The DPD Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Address: 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190 Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 899-5400
Further information is available on the Eat Right Pro website.

Our program is accredited by ACEND. Graduates of our accredited program are issued a DPD Verification Statement, which is needed for dietetic internships and some master’s programs. Our program does not award credit for prior learning experiences.

The DPD has two goals with expected objectives for each goal. These objectives are measured on a regular basis for the purpose of maintaining quality and making improvements as needed. Program outcome data is available upon request.

Goal 1: The program will prepare graduates who possess critical thinking skills and are able to succeed in accredited supervised practice programs.

• Objective 1: At least 80% of program students will complete the degree within 3 years (150% of program length).
• Objective 2: 80% of program graduates will apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 3: 60% of program graduates will be admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
• Objective 4: 90% of internship directors will judge DPD program graduates to be well prepared for supervised practice as measured by scores of Strongly Agree or Agree on preparedness and ability to think critically as evaluated on a yearly survey.

Goal 2: The program will prepare graduates for successful entry-level practice where they provide evidence-based nutrition care and contribute to the health of the nation.

• Objective 1: The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the examination within one year of the first attempt) on the CDR credentialing examination for registered dietitian nutritionists will be at least 80%.
• Objective 2: 90% or more of graduates and internship directors will judge the intern to be adequately prepared to provide evidence-based care and apply the nutrition care process based upon a yearly survey of internship directors.
• Objective 3: 90% or more of graduates completing supervised practice programs will be employed in healthcare-related professions as measured by a yearly survey of graduates.

Students must complete a BS degree from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition in the Dietetics and Nutrition Management Concentration. In addition, to receive the DPD verification, students must complete the concentration with a GPA of 3.1 or higher and no grade lower than a C- in the DPD courses (including transfer credits). Students must retake any course in which they received a grade lower than a C-.

You do have to complete a master’s degree to become an RDN. But that degree does not have to be a master’s degree in dietetics or nutrition if you have already completed a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from an accredited program.

Yes, the department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at CSU offers a few master’s degree program options:

–Master of Science in Food Science and Nutrition

This is an in-person 2-year program. Students have the option to join a course-directed track during which they focus primarily on coursework or an advisor-directed track, in which they can gain experience in a research laboratory while completing their coursework

–Master of Advanced Practice in Dietetics

This is an entirely online program that students can complete in 1 year. To enter the program, students must have completed an undergraduate degree in dietetics and have received their DPD verification.

Students in our 2-year in-person Master of Science program have the opportunity to apply for our Coordinated Master’s Program in Dietetics, which combines the master’s degree with a dietetic internship.